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Water, Wastewater & Wetlands: Private Wells
Guidance
Private Wells: Frequently Asked Questions
What are private water supplies (private wells), who regulates them, recommendations for testing, and more. Web page
Arsenic in Private Well Water: Frequently Asked Questions
Arsenic occurs naturally in soil and bedrock in parts of Massachusetts. If you are in an area of concern, MassDEP recommends that you sample for arsenic. These questions and answers explain the health risks of arsenic and what you should do if you water has elevated arsenic levels. Web page
Estimating Private Well Yields
This article is primarily for boards of health that do not have their own requirements for pumping tests but rely on the Department of Conservation & Recreation's Water Well Completion Report for estimates of well yield. MS Word 375 KB | PDF 61 KB
Model Board of Health Regulations for Private Wells
Recommended language for local boards of health to use in writing regulations for private wells. MS Word 21 KB | PDF 72 KB
Private Well Guidelines
These guidelines are primarily intended to assist Boards of Health and well drillers by attempting to introduce some consistency regarding construction standards from town to town. The Guidelines also provide information useful to the private well owner, developers, and interested local officials. Revised May 2008. Web page
2009 Standards & Guidelines for Contaminants in Massachusetts Drinking Water
The 2009 Standards & Guidelines for Contaminants are intended to provide the public with information on the safety and integrity of drinking water in Massachusetts. A maximum contaminant level (MCL), the highest concentration that is allowed in drinking water, is provided for each contaminant, with technical explanations and references. May 2009. Web page
Tables of guidance values linked to individual contaminant reports Web page
Private or Public Drinking Water Facility
Information presented in chart form to help determine whether your supply is a public or private facility. MS Word 41 KB | PDF 15 KB
Protect Your Family: A Guide to Water Quality Testing for Private Wells
Informational brochure from the US EPA and the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards, explaining how wells can get contaminated and testing procedures to be followed. Web page
Recommendations for Private Wells Inundated by Flooding
Disinfection procedures and other guidance if a private well has been contaminated by floodwater.. February 13, 2008. Web page
Horsekeeping: Protecting Public Health & Drinking Water
Potential risks from pasture runoff, and what horse owners can do to prevent contamination of water supplies, including recommended well setbacks from manure piles. Web page
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